The FBU has welcomed the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s guilty plea into the death of our brother and friend firefighter Ewan Williamson who lost his life in the line of duty fighting a fire at the Balmoral Bar in Dalry Road, Edinburgh on the 12 July 2009.
The FBU will need to see the full guilty plea from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service before a more detailed response is issued. This will come after full court proceedings have concluded.
Lothian and Borders FBU officials have spent the last five and a half years supporting Ewan’s family and our members through this very difficult time.
Denise Christie, of the FBU in Edinburgh, said: “I would like to thank and pay tribute to all those members who have continued to work professionally throughout this period.
“It’s been a very difficult time for all those involved and I hope that this can now be the start for everyone to move on without the anxiety of a court case hanging over them.”
“Ewan was a brilliant firefighter, a great friend to all at Tollcross Green Watch and throughout the fire service and beyond. He will never be forgotten and will always be in our thoughts.”
Stephen Thomson, Scottish FBU Secretary said “The FBU welcome the decision by the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service to plead guilty today and we hope that this will help Ewan’s family move on with their lives.”
“Clearly when we see the full judgement on Friday 20 March the FBU will comment in detail, but it is important that lessons are learned and we never find ourselves back here in the future.”
